New Releases by Maureen Gallagher

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used to treat severe heart failure by aiding the heart mechanically to increase cardiac output. These devices are used to bridge a patient to transplant or even recovery, and as a method for stand-alone long-term survival. For cases in which long-term VAD use has allowed for the recovery of the patients heart, it is desirable to wean a patient from the VAD and allow the heart to strengthen and function on its own again. Stroke volume reduction is a promising way to reload the heart gradually and wean a patient from the device. Since a much smaller volume of research exists for pediatric VADs compared to the larger adult VADs, serious complications persist in their use. Past research has shown that certain flow conditions can promote or reduce occurrences of thrombosis. To yield a better understanding of the factors that cause complications with pediatric VADs, this study analyzed the fluid dynamics in the 12 cc Penn State pediatric VAD. Changes in both stroke volume and hematocrit have been shown to influence the fluid dynamics within the pediatric VAD. While hematocrit, or the ratio of packed red blood cells to whole blood, remains constant for adults at 40%, pediatric hematocrit ranges from 20%-60%. This study examined the effect of hematocrit on the fluid dynamics in the Penn State pediatric VAD during a stroke volume reduction weaning protocol. The experiments used a mock circulatory loop and blood analog fluid to mimic cardiovascular conditions and blood behavior, respectively. To cover the range of pediatric hematocrit, fluids mimicking blood at 20%, 40%, and 60% were used, with the 20% hematocrit fluid being the least viscoelastic fluid and the 60% hematocrit fluid being the most viscoelastic fluid. Stroke volume conditions of 100% (12 cc), 80% (9.6 cc), and 60% (7.2 cc) were created to simulate a stroke volume reduction weaning protocol. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to image the flow fields within the VAD, with the results producing quantitative velocity data describing the flow conditions within the VAD for all three hematocrits at each step of the weaning procedure. The flow patterns for each set of conditions followed a similar sequence: inflow began at the start of diastole, inflow transitioned to a solid body rotation through diastole, and rotational flow dissipated as outflow began in systole. Varying the hematocrit and stroke volume, however, created specific dynamic differences in the flow characteristics. Increased viscoelasticity led to delayed formation of flow patterns, including the inlet jet and the rotational flow. A more viscoelastic fluid also created a stronger inflow, a stronger, late-diastolic rotational flow, and a stronger outflow. A reduction in stroke volume led to flow at lower speeds and more areas of stagnation throughout the cycle. Favorable flow patterns persisted with the use of 40% and 60% hematocrit fluids through all three steps of stroke volume reduction. The 60% hematocrit fluid created the strongest flow and the longest-lasting solid body rotation with the most potential for thrombus reduction. The 20% hematocrit fluid, however, created weaker rotational flow that lasted into systole, dissipated sooner and left more areas of low flow and stagnation. Care should be taken with patients with low hematocrit that adequate flow and wall washing is occurring throughout the cycle to prevent occurrences of thrombosis and patient complications.

"When most teenage girls were complaining about cramps, headaches, and broken fingernails, Elizabeth was wrenched with pain from radiation... When other teenagers were planning their weekends and going to parties, Elizabeth was having overnight chemo treatments and morphine drips... When most other teenagers were complaining about getting out of bed, Elizabeth was hoping she had the strength to get out of bed..." At Christmastime in 2005, Maureen Gallagher''s ten-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. Five years later, the cancer resurfaced. Their lives would never be the same. Reaching Hope is the amazing true story of a mother''s journey from the depths of alcoholism and her daughter''s recurrence of cancer. Through sheer determination and courage the family overcomes slim odds and reaches that beautiful light at the end of their long, dark journey. Maureen''s story will inspire you with the realization that, whatever challenges you must face, even in the darkest hours there is always hope.

Nitroaromatic compounds have been historically used as dyes, explosives and pesticides. The disposal of these products has caused widespread contamination of both soil and groundwater. 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been known as the worst of these contaminants because of the mutagenic properties of the compound, its persistence in the environment, and the wide range of sites that are contaminated with TNT. It is not only harmful to humans but it is also harmful to organisms in the lower trophic levels of ecosystems, and can affect the primary production of phytoplankton in the oceans. The following series of experiments looks to determine ways that 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene could be biologically degraded in contaminated anaerobic environments. The experiments use dilution culturing, molecular techniques, and chemical analysis. Cultures were made from 3 different geographical sites (Arthur Kill, Norfolk Harbor, and an unexploded ordnance site in Hawaii) under both sulfidogenic and methanogenic conditions. The experiments demonstrate that there are bacteria present in the environment that could degrade TNT and the use of stable-isotope probing (SIP) in dilution cultures allowed the bacteria that are able to initially degrade TNT to be identified. The stable-isotope fed dilution cultures produced samples that were used for chemical analysis to determine pieces of the biological degradation pathway. These experiments determined that 1) there are bacteria that are able to utilize both the carbon and/or nitrogen present in TNT for growth and 2) toluene, methylphloroglucinol, benzoate or a benzoate derivative, and a cresol are all metabolites of anaerobic TNT degradation.

Think about what your organization could do if the process of planning met the inevitability of change head on--and it resulted in significant success. Organizations large and small, religious and secular, for-profit and not-for-profit, successful and unsuccessful, go through change. John Reid and Maureen Gallagher of the Reid Group have been instrumental in helping many groups discover the power of Prophetic Planning. This book presents a complete overview with detailed information that any organization will find useful in understanding how to plan for change. Beginning with the importance of crafting clear statements of mission, goals, and objectives to charting a road map through the "wilderness" that characterizes change, the authors present examples from parishes, health care organizations, schools, and various not-for-profits. They offer successful conflict management and communication tools that every member of a council, board, or team can learn how to use and apply to the group''s success. View sample pages. "Paperback"

Lyric poetry depicting love and politics and the politics of love.

This book, by a seasoned catechetical director, offers Scripture-based prayer suggestions that begin with the catechist''s own prayer life before being applied to suggestions for the young people under the catechist''s care. This book has three goals: (1) to empower the catechist to effectively lead children in prayer using multiple activities; (2) to assist young people to experience prayer as communication and bonding with God and one another; (3) to help young people see the connection between learning about God, being in communion with God and living disciples of Jesus Christ. Prayer suggestions are offered for the catechist and then for children, broken down into different age groups from preschool through adolescence.

With its smaller format making it easy to carry, this daily reflection book is the perfect complement to "The Catholic Youth Bible." Readings are chosen from cycle A, B, or C, or are the exact reading for feast days or solemnities. Each day has a Scripture citation, a reflection, a short prayer, and a connection to an article in "The Catholic Youth Bible. Take Ten" helps young people apply biblical wisdom to their everyday lives.St. Mary''s Press

Combining sound theological, liturgical, psychological, and catechetical foundations, this book shows catechists how to become artists in helping others grow in faith. +

Bright and positive, but very realistic. Practical in its guidance. Experience-based. Full of wise counsel. 114 colorful photos, most of them of other teens Numerous charts and graphs. Excellent chapter-by-chapter discussion questions. Helpful referrals. Up-to-date medical science. No anatomical diagrams or instructions in "safe sex."